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Thursday, 9 October 2014

Marlon Samuels of West Indies celebrates after scoring a century during the 1st One Day International, ODI, between India and The West Indies held at the Nehru Stadium, Kochi, India on the 8th October 2014

After the loss of Dwayne Bravo with 34 runs on the board, Dwayne Smith set the momentum for the visitors' innings in a 64-run stand with Darren Smith. Taking over from Samuels, Smith built a 165-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Denesh Ramdin to lay the foundation for a formidable target. (Also Read: Stats Highlights: Ind vs WI, 1st ODI)

India got off to a good start with Ajinkya Rahane taking on the bowling but a mix up resulting in his run-out sent the team downhill. India didn't recover from the unfortunate end of the 49-run opening stand and lost wickets in a heap. Although Dhawan strove to hold the innings together, he found little support from the other end and his resistance too ended for 68 leaving India on 134/6. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 197.

After two quiet overs, Ajinkya Rahane pulled Jerome Taylor for a couple of boundaries to set India on course for the target. With Jerome Taylor inducing an edge off Virat Kohli's willow to Sammy in the slips, India were 55/2.

27 runs later, Ambati Rayudu hit Russell to Sulieman Benn at mid-on and departed for 13. In the next over the WI captain crashed Suresh Raina's stumps to leave India on 83/4.

Facing a mammoth target, MS Dhoni came out to face the WI attack, but India's woes continued as he was castled by Sammy after contributing just eight runs.

Three and a half overs later, Dhawan missed a sweep off Samuels and was bowled. With the innings tottering on 134/6 Bhuvneshwar joined Jadeja in the middle and was dismissed in the next over. Mishra was next, trapped leg before by Dwayne Bravo. Ravi Rampaul removed Mohit and 42 runs later yorked Shami to wrap up the Indian innings.

Earlier, opening the bowling with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma conceded 11 runs off his first over. The medium pacer was struck for two boundaries by Dwayne Bravo, who a bit later meted out similar treatment to Mohammed Shami.

Shami gave India their first break through when a fuller delivery took the edge off Dwayne Bravo's bat and was caught Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.

Darren Bravo was caught by Dhawan off Amit Mishra. Denesh Ramdin then came to the crease and joined hands with Samuels. Taking his time to settle in Samuels blunted the Indian attack as he took his team to a position of strength. While watchfully crafting his innings he took the attack to the bowlers when presented with the opportunity. He hit Amit Mishra for back-to-back sixes on either side of the wicket and a couple of overs later hit Raina for a six to bring up his half-century.

Having played themselves in and taken West Indies to a comfortable 188/3 in 35 overs, the batsmen accelerated in the powerplay. Ramdin smashed a no ball from Shami for six over point and then added four off the free hit that followed. In the next over, Bhuvneshwar's last, the pair claimed a boundary each as they picked nine runs off it. And with Jadeja conceding extras in form of wides they collected 52 runs from the batting powerplay.

The partnership continued to flourish and Ramdin brought up his fifty with a single to midwicket off Mohit; while Samuels picked a run off Jadeja in the next to post his century.

With just three wickets lost, the tourists were comfortably placed to accelerate in the last five overs until Ramdin perished in the 46th over. The middle-order batsman, swung at a Shami delivery and found Jadeja at long-on.

In the bowler's next over, he accounted for Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell. But, Sammy ensured that there were no more lapses and with Samuels took the team to a big total.

Man of the Match: Marlon Samuels for unbeaten 126 (116 balls) and 2 for 10 in three overs.

MS Dhoni: It was a par score but it was a good wicket to bat on. Last few overs we bowled well to restrict them. At the start of the match if we were given 320-odd we should have got it. They bat really deep and have 6 bowlers with a part-timer. They have spinners, quick bowlers and are a balanced side. Dwayne Bravo and I know each other well. But with technology as well we can spot the weaknesses and do analysis of the opponents easily these days.

Dwayne Bravo: It was a great team effort, credit to entire team especially to Samuels coming back to ODI team. Credit to the stand between him and Ramdin and the bowlers as well. I hope Simmons is fit for the next match but I'm ready to open for the team. It's well and good till we keep winning. Scoring over 320 is always good, we fell short by 15-20 runs and they bowled very well but great team effort from us.

Marlon Samuels: After some injuries and surgery I didn't play much, got some form in CPL but didn't play much. I lost my coach also so I dedicate this to him. Ramdin is in good nick for the last year and he's been batting well. The communication and running between us went well between us.